KC man jailed 17 years for purse snatching released after judge overturns conviction

Richard Jones (middle) of Kansas City was released from jail Wednesday after serving nearly 17 years of a 19-year sentence for an aggravated robbery conviction. A judge overturned the conviction.
Midwest Innocence Project Facebook page

A Kansas City man who spent nearly 17 years in prison for purse snatching was released Wednesday after a judge overturned his conviction.

The 10th Judicial District Court in Johnson County vacated Richard Jones’ 1999 aggravated robbery conviction. He had been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison.

But according to officials with the Midwest Innocence Project, Jones was convicted based solely on eyewitness identification, despite presenting a verified alibi.

The Innocence Project and the Paul E. Wilson Project for Innocence at the University of Kansas worked for Jones’ release.

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